Sister Mary-Ashley Esplin: Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!🎄🎁

OH MY GOODNESS! I hope that y’all have had a wonderful Christmas and have been able to feel of Christ’s love for you. First of all, shout out to my family. I love you guys so much! Saturday night we helped a lady in the branch put on a single adult party and the song that popped into my head was from Karen Carpenter. “Merry Christmas darling, we’re apart-that’s true. But I can dream, and in my dreams I’m christmasing with you”. We Esplinos (especially Megan) love Karen Carpenter and these lyrics reminded me of my feelings for them. I am so grateful for my sweet family and for all of the wonderful memories we have made together over the years during Christmas. I am also so grateful for my extended family and friends. I absolutely loved the 24 days of letters from everyone. It was super touching. It really made my day every day to read sweet letters from those I love and cherish. Thanks y’all! 😊

This week we had so many different things going on. It was hectic and also so fun. We had exchanges this week with the sisters in the Pinnacle Mountain Ward. Our zone was originally going to go caroling in our area on Monday but they cancelled last minute on us. Kind of lame. But the sisters still came and we visited some people and sang to them. It is so interesting how people who would usually get angry at you for knocking on their door late at night are so sweet and kind when we start with a song. Maybe we will do that all year round. Hehe. It is so true that sacred music invites the spirit. If all else fails, sing.

On exchanges, Sister Feinga and I were able to go see Sister Moss, whom we had felt we needed to visit for a while. We went over to her house and she was super overwhelmed with things and with some things that happened with her kids and daughter-in-law. We had gone in with the intent to show the video “The Good Samaritan”, but the spirit told me to share another one called “I am good enough. Will I make it?” . She loved it and Sister Feinga asked her what she was going to do now because of what we had talked about. She really was repenting.

On Saturday we were able to help Sister Cordova set up a singles party at the church. We were the youngest people there. The next youngest person was in their fifties. Eek. But it was so neat, for some of the sisters that were there it was going to be their only Christmas festivities. That was seriously the highlight of their Christmas. It was so fun to be able to serve everyone and help make other people’s Christmases better.

Guys I am so sorry the letter is so short this week. BUT MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He loves me and that He loves you. I am so excited to one day personally thank Him for the great gift that He has given me every single day. This week we had zone conference and we watched “The Testaments” and while we were watching the film, I felt so strongly that Jesus Christ loves me and that He died for me and that He will help me with anything that I stand in need of as I turn to Him in faith and trust in His plan.

I love y’all!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!!!

Love

Sister Esplin

Ashley